Ricky Rubio rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves only willing to give ‘Stephen Curry deal’
The Minnesota Timberwolves have seemingly already resigned themselves to the fact they will have to trade power forward Kevin Love.
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They will obviously continue to speak with Love in an attempt to keep him or at least convince him to opt into the final year of his contract for the 2015-2016 season, but they have been speaking to other teams, realizing they have to get something in return so he doesn’t walk after the 2014-2015 season and the Timberwolves wind up with nothing.
That’s why the Timberwolves likely feel they can’t afford to lose point guard Ricky Rubio, who will become a restricted free agent after the 2014-2015 season.
However, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and AM 1500 ESPN in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves are only willing to give Rubio the contract the Golden State Warriors gave star guard Stephen Curry – $44 million over four years.
Same as before: Willing to do Curry $ for Ricky. Fegan wants 5-yrs. RT @wildcats_59 @DarrenWolfson anything going on w/ #Twolves besides 42?
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 28, 2014
Wolfson also points out that Rubio and his agent, Dan Fegan is seeking a five-year, max deal, which he originally reported two weeks ago.
Yes. Fegan aiming for 5-yr max. RT @BrianGaranich: @DarrenWolfson With all this Love trade talk, they actually talking w/ Rubio/his agent?
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 15, 2014
Rubio put up 9.5 points, 8.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 38.1% from the floor, 33.1% from beyond the arc and 80.2% from the free throw line last season. Rubio was originally selected by the Timberwolves with the fifth-overall selection in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. Rubio came over from Spain to join the Timberwolves for the 2011-2012 season. In his career, he’s averaged 10.1 points, 8.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 36.8% from the floor, 32.3% from three and 80.1% from the charity stripe.